Celtic’s most decorated captain joined his iconic teammates at a civic reception in the City Chambers hosted by Lord Provost Eva Bolander.

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Auld and Craig mixed with Hoops stars past and present to remember the glorious day in 1967 when the man known to adoring fans as Cesar grabbed the European Cup.

Bertie, 79, said: “I can see Billy isn’t 100 per cent, but I was very proud to see him here among us.

“I’ll never forget Billy being Billy and walking up those stairs to lift that trophy.”

Billy’s fellow defender Craig, 74, added: “I met Billy last Sunday at the game and he recognised me straight away.

“It must be very difficult for his wife Liz right now but it was great to see the captain here.”

We revealed in February that Billy’s battle with the degenerative disease had robbed the 76-year-old icon of his speech.

But the former Celtic and Scotland hero - who also managed the Parkhead club to the double in their centenary year - travelled with Liz from their home in Newton Mearns so Billy could stand with his team-mates again.

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“I think I was the lucky one being down on the pitch in among the supporters who without fear or doubt travelled all that distance.

“They made their presence felt and never stopped during the game.

“Before the match Jock Stein spoke about the history of the club and told us, ‘Now it’s your era. Go out and create history’.”

Lord Provost Eva Bolander, who is originally from Stockholm, Sweden, added: “I have been in Glasgow now for over 20 years but I know there are a lot of Celtic fans in Stockholm and there is a team in the city with the same colours as Celtic.

“To have the Lisbon Lions here and to be able to honour them in this way has been fantastic.”

The gathering took place the day before thousands of fans will tonight pay tribute to Jock Stein’s all-conquering side whose 2-1 win over Inter Milan made sporting history.

Celtic-daft rocker Sir Rod Stewart will lead the celebrations at the sell-out Lisbon Lions 50th anniversary concert at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro along with the Bay City Rollers and Eddi Reader.

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